History

Quetzal motifs and deities are well documented in ancient Latin America at such places as Teotihuacan, Chich'en Itza, Xochicalco, Cacaxtla, and others. Names such as Quetzalcoatl and Kukulkan were used not only for deities but also for military and religious leaders and nobles. Aside from sites featuring architecture and monuments, archaeologists have documented quetzal-based stone carvings, including cylindars, sculptures, and stelae. Motifs related to the quetzal are apparent in colonial and modern art.